The Citizens and Croatian national team player revealed that he found himself at a crossroads at one point in his youth career. A choice that could have deprived the world of football of a real talent
Josko Gvardiol has now become a cornerstone of the defense Manchester City. The Croatian international had moved on from Red Bull Leipzig to the Citizens for 88 million euros, in the summer of 2023. From that moment he has become a truly essential player on the Pep Guardiolaplaying both as a left-back and as a central defender. Last season he took part in 55 of the 61 matches played by the English club, with over 6000 minutes of the season, also considering his commitments with the Croatia. Furthermore, since his arrival in Premier Leagueno defender has scored more than him.
Gvardiol: “I almost left football”
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Yet, in a recent interview with BBC, Gvardiol revealed that in the initial period with the Dinamo Zagrebwhen he was 16, he played little and thought about giving it all up: “I almost quit football because I also really like basketball. I wasn’t sure about football, because when you get to the training ground and you don’t feel happy, you know…“.
The defender of Manchester City he then explained: “I was just looking for another way, something that would make me happier, also because all my friends played basketball“. Then a clarification on his basketball faith: “I don’t support any particular team, I just like playing it“.
The beginning of a great career
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After those initial doubts, Gvardiol waits patiently for his moment, until he explodes with the first team Dinamo Zagreb. With the Croatian club he won several titles, including a prestigious national double. These collective successes, combined with great individual performances, attracted the attention of various clubs in the main European leagues.
In 2021 he will move to Leipzig for 18 million euros. Play in Bundesliga for two seasons, establishing himself as one of the most promising talents in the world. Then, in 2023, the definitive leap in quality arrives, with the transition to Manchester City Of Guardiola. A transfer that makes him the second most expensive defender in the history of football, behind only Harry Maguire.
“My dream obviously was to become a professional footballer, but I didn’t think I’d get that far. If five years ago they had asked me: ‘are you giving up to Manchester Cuty in 2023, 2024, 2025?’ I would have said: impossible“. But it’s all true. And today Gvardiol he is one of the best defenders around.
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